AP Literature Exam

AP Literature ExamAP Literature Exam

Tips for SuccessTips for Success

What manner of Beast?What manner of Beast? Length: 3 hoursLength: 3 hours Structure: Two SectionsStructure: Two Sections

Section I: Multiple Choice (55 questions), 1 hourSection I: Multiple Choice (55 questions), 1 hour Generally alternating prose and poetry passages, 10-13 Generally alternating prose and poetry passages, 10-13

questions eachquestions each Section II: Three Essays, 2 hoursSection II: Three Essays, 2 hours

One question on fiction passage and literary techniquesOne question on fiction passage and literary techniques One question on a poem and poetic techniquesOne question on a poem and poetic techniques One question (free response) where students use a One question (free response) where students use a

novel or drama to respondnovel or drama to respond Percentage: Multiple Choice, 45%; Essays, 55%Percentage: Multiple Choice, 45%; Essays, 55%

Section :Multiple ChoiceSection :Multiple Choice The multiple choice questions are The multiple choice questions are

designed to assess your understanding designed to assess your understanding ofof The meaning of the selectionThe meaning of the selection Your ability to draw inferencesYour ability to draw inferences Your ability to see implicationsYour ability to see implications How a writer develops ideasHow a writer develops ideas

Therefore, the questions will be Therefore, the questions will be factual, factual, technical, analytical, and inferential.technical, analytical, and inferential.

Multiple ChoiceMultiple ChoiceGeneral Guidelines—p.1General Guidelines—p.1

Pace yourself—work at the pace of one question per Pace yourself—work at the pace of one question per minute.minute.

Reading the text carefully is a mustReading the text carefully is a must:: Skim the passage to get a “feel” for the passage (30 Skim the passage to get a “feel” for the passage (30

seconds).seconds). Read slowly for comprehensionRead slowly for comprehension

Underline, circle, highlight the textUnderline, circle, highlight the text Pay attention to details, including punctuationPay attention to details, including punctuation Note additional information provided, including title, Note additional information provided, including title,

author, date of publication, and footnotesauthor, date of publication, and footnotes Be aware of literary devices and techniques, Be aware of literary devices and techniques,

especially with poetryespecially with poetry Ask yourself, “What is this about?”Ask yourself, “What is this about?” If it’s a poem, write a brief paraphrase.If it’s a poem, write a brief paraphrase.

Multiple ChoiceMultiple ChoiceGeneral Guidelines—p.2General Guidelines—p.2

If you have the general idea, answer the If you have the general idea, answer the questions in order (if not, answer line-reference questions in order (if not, answer line-reference questions first—you will get a better idea of the questions first—you will get a better idea of the passage).passage).

Write on the booklet—interact with the test.Write on the booklet—interact with the test. Do not spend too much time on any one Do not spend too much time on any one

question.question. Consider all the choices.Consider all the choices. Questions do not become more difficult as it Questions do not become more difficult as it

progresses.progresses. If you spend any time on a question, guess.If you spend any time on a question, guess.

Multiple ChoiceMultiple ChoiceSpecific Techniques—p.1Specific Techniques—p.1

Read the five choices.Read the five choices. Eliminate those that are obviously Eliminate those that are obviously

wrong.wrong. Eliminate those that are too broad or too Eliminate those that are too broad or too

narrow.narrow. Eliminate illogical choices.Eliminate illogical choices. Eliminate answers that are synonymous.Eliminate answers that are synonymous.

Multiple ChoiceMultiple ChoiceSpecific Techniques—p.2Specific Techniques—p.2

If answers are close, do one OR the other of the If answers are close, do one OR the other of the following:following: Find the one general enough to cover all aspects of the Find the one general enough to cover all aspects of the

question.question. Find one specific enough to be the detail the question is Find one specific enough to be the detail the question is

looking for.looking for. If time is running out, and you haven’t finished the last If time is running out, and you haven’t finished the last

passage, scan the remaining questions and:passage, scan the remaining questions and: Answer grammar/literary terms questions firstAnswer grammar/literary terms questions first Answer single word or phrase questions (line-reference)Answer single word or phrase questions (line-reference) Answer questions on tone or attitudeAnswer questions on tone or attitude

Remember: You must answer 38 questions Remember: You must answer 38 questions correctly if you want a high score.correctly if you want a high score.

Section II: Essays—Prose Section II: Essays—Prose PassagePassage

Usually from a novel or short story, but can include a Usually from a novel or short story, but can include a scene from a drama (play)scene from a drama (play)

Some typical prose passage essays ask students to:Some typical prose passage essays ask students to: Analyze narrative and literary techniques which Analyze narrative and literary techniques which

reveal character (diction, syntax, point of view, reveal character (diction, syntax, point of view, imagery)imagery)

Explain the effect of the passage on the readerExplain the effect of the passage on the reader Compare/contrast two passages for diction and Compare/contrast two passages for diction and

details and their effect on the readerdetails and their effect on the reader Analyze the attitude of the speakerAnalyze the attitude of the speaker Analyze the attitudes of the author, using tone and Analyze the attitudes of the author, using tone and

stylestyle

Section II: Essay-Prose Section II: Essay-Prose PassagePassage

Tips for Responding to the Prose Passage:Tips for Responding to the Prose Passage: Become familiar with the types of questions you might be Become familiar with the types of questions you might be

asked.asked. Analyze the prompt and understand the tasks.Analyze the prompt and understand the tasks. Time your essay carefully. Each essay is timed at basically Time your essay carefully. Each essay is timed at basically

40 minutes each.40 minutes each. Annotate the passage before writing.Annotate the passage before writing. Write a strong but specific opening paragraph.Write a strong but specific opening paragraph. Refer often to the passage.Refer often to the passage. Use details and quotations from passage to support your Use details and quotations from passage to support your

ideas.ideas. Avoid summary and paraphrase.Avoid summary and paraphrase. Include smooth transitions.Include smooth transitions.

Section II: Essays—Prose Section II: Essays—Prose PassagePassage

Structuring the Response:Structuring the Response: Strategy:Strategy:

1-3 minutes analyzing the prompt (practice 1-3 minutes analyzing the prompt (practice makes perfect)makes perfect)

5 minutes reading and annotating the 5 minutes reading and annotating the passagepassage

5 minutes preparing to write5 minutes preparing to write 25 minutes to write your essay25 minutes to write your essay 3 minutes to proofread3 minutes to proofread

Section II: Essay—Prose Section II: Essay—Prose PassagePassage

Opening: Opening: Let the nature of the prompt determine the structure, but a lengthy opening Let the nature of the prompt determine the structure, but a lengthy opening

is unnecessary. Since readers look for an over-all impression of your essay, is unnecessary. Since readers look for an over-all impression of your essay, it is important to convey a positive impression from the beginning by having it is important to convey a positive impression from the beginning by having a clearly focused opening. You should include:a clearly focused opening. You should include:

Author and titleAuthor and title The task(s) to addressedThe task(s) to addressed Specific techniques you will refer toSpecific techniques you will refer to

Body:Body: Have paragraphs with topic sentencesHave paragraphs with topic sentences Develop points stated in the openingDevelop points stated in the opening Use smooth transitionsUse smooth transitions Use specific references and details from the passageUse specific references and details from the passage

Closing:Closing: Like the opening, the closing need not be long or even a separate Like the opening, the closing need not be long or even a separate

paragraph, but your paper should have a sense of finality. You can end paragraph, but your paper should have a sense of finality. You can end by:by:

Re-stating the meaning/emotional effect/or techniquesRe-stating the meaning/emotional effect/or techniques A final effective sentenceA final effective sentence

Section II: Essays--PoetrySection II: Essays--Poetry Some typical poetry essays ask students to:Some typical poetry essays ask students to:

Analyze how the language of the poem reflects the speaker’s Analyze how the language of the poem reflects the speaker’s perceptions, and how, in turn that language determines the perceptions, and how, in turn that language determines the reader’s perceptions.reader’s perceptions.

Analyze how the poet reveals character (diction, sound devices, Analyze how the poet reveals character (diction, sound devices, imagery, allusion)imagery, allusion)

Discussion similarities and differences between two poems, Discussion similarities and differences between two poems, considering style and themeconsidering style and theme

Contrast the speaker’s views toward a subject in two poems, Contrast the speaker’s views toward a subject in two poems, referring to tone, form, and imagery.referring to tone, form, and imagery.

Discuss how poetic elements, such as language, structure, Discuss how poetic elements, such as language, structure, imagery, and point of view convey meaningimagery, and point of view convey meaning

Relate imagery, form, or theme of a particular section of a poem Relate imagery, form, or theme of a particular section of a poem to another part of the same poemto another part of the same poem

Analyze extended metaphor and how it reveals the poet’s or Analyze extended metaphor and how it reveals the poet’s or speaker’s attitudespeaker’s attitude

Discuss how form affects meaningDiscuss how form affects meaning

Section II: Essay--PoetrySection II: Essay--Poetry Tips for responding to poetry essay:Tips for responding to poetry essay:

Become familiar with the type of questionsBecome familiar with the type of questions Review poetic terms and techniquesReview poetic terms and techniques Analyze prompt and understand tasksAnalyze prompt and understand tasks Time your essay carefully (40 minutes)Time your essay carefully (40 minutes) Read the poem several timesRead the poem several times Annotate the poem before writingAnnotate the poem before writing Write a strong opening paragraphWrite a strong opening paragraph Refer often to the poem with details and quotations to Refer often to the poem with details and quotations to

support your ideassupport your ideas Stay on topicStay on topic Avoid summary and paraphraseAvoid summary and paraphrase

Section II: Essay--PoetrySection II: Essay--Poetry Strategies and Structure are the Strategies and Structure are the

same for responding to poetry as it is same for responding to poetry as it is for prose. Please refer to that power for prose. Please refer to that power point slide for those tips.point slide for those tips.

Section II: Essay—Free Section II: Essay—Free ResponseResponse

In this type of essay, you are free to choose In this type of essay, you are free to choose the literary work you will use to respond to the literary work you will use to respond to the prompt.the prompt.

This is not the time to promote a work that This is not the time to promote a work that you believe is of literary merit.you believe is of literary merit.

Your task is to convince the readers that you Your task is to convince the readers that you know how to read closely and critically, a know how to read closely and critically, a work of literary merit. Stick with the classics work of literary merit. Stick with the classics or the canon or those works that you have or the canon or those works that you have been exposed to in your high school career.been exposed to in your high school career.


Some typical free response essays will ask students Some typical free response essays will ask students to:to: Respond to a provocative question based on specific insightsRespond to a provocative question based on specific insights Demonstrate your insights, critical thinking, and writing abilityDemonstrate your insights, critical thinking, and writing ability Show awareness of character and comprehension of themeShow awareness of character and comprehension of theme Transfer specific ideas and details to a universal conceptTransfer specific ideas and details to a universal concept Reveal the relationships among form, content, style, Reveal the relationships among form, content, style,

structure, and their effects on the meaning of the workstructure, and their effects on the meaning of the work Reflect the writer’s ability to choose appropriate illustrations Reflect the writer’s ability to choose appropriate illustrations

and connect them in a thoughtful wayand connect them in a thoughtful way Compose a well-organized essay written in a mature voice Compose a well-organized essay written in a mature voice

and sophisticated styleand sophisticated style


Some Free Response Topics:Some Free Response Topics: How an opening scene or chapter establishes the How an opening scene or chapter establishes the

character, conflict, or themecharacter, conflict, or theme How minor characters are used to develop a major How minor characters are used to develop a major

charactercharacter How violence relates to character or themeHow violence relates to character or theme How time is a major factorHow time is a major factor The use of contrasting settingsThe use of contrasting settings Parent/child or sibling relationships and their significanceParent/child or sibling relationships and their significance The analysis of a villain w/regard to meaning of workThe analysis of a villain w/regard to meaning of work The use of an unrealistic character or element and its The use of an unrealistic character or element and its

effect on workeffect on work The conflict between passion and responsibilityThe conflict between passion and responsibility The conflict between character and societyThe conflict between character and society


Tips for responding to free response essay:Tips for responding to free response essay: Review thoroughly 3-5 full-length literary works from different genres, Review thoroughly 3-5 full-length literary works from different genres,

eras, and literary movements (Shakespeare is a must)eras, and literary movements (Shakespeare is a must) Isolate several pivotal scenes, moments, or episodes and examine Isolate several pivotal scenes, moments, or episodes and examine

themthem Isolate quotations and details from the scenesIsolate quotations and details from the scenes Analyze the prompt and understand the taskAnalyze the prompt and understand the task Choose a work that fits the promptChoose a work that fits the prompt Do NOT waste time looking at the suggested list of works: choose Do NOT waste time looking at the suggested list of works: choose

works from your own memory bank that you recall thoroughly and works from your own memory bank that you recall thoroughly and understandunderstand

Plan the essay thoroughly before responding (This task is more Plan the essay thoroughly before responding (This task is more important than the other two essays)important than the other two essays)

AVOID PLOT SUMMARYAVOID PLOT SUMMARY Use concrete details and quotations, if possibleUse concrete details and quotations, if possible Include smooth transitionsInclude smooth transitions NEVER EVER WRITE ABOUT A FILMNEVER EVER WRITE ABOUT A FILM


Strategy for free response:Strategy for free response: 1-3 minutes analyzing the prompt1-3 minutes analyzing the prompt 3-5 minutes choosing your work—a 3-5 minutes choosing your work—a

crucial step for a successful essaycrucial step for a successful essay 5-7 minutes to brainstorm the specifics 5-7 minutes to brainstorm the specifics

you plan to use in your essayyou plan to use in your essay 23-25 minutes to write your essay23-25 minutes to write your essay 3 minutes to proofread3 minutes to proofread


Structure of Essay:Structure of Essay: Opening: Your opening paragraph is the one that Opening: Your opening paragraph is the one that

raises the expectations of the reader and sets the raises the expectations of the reader and sets the tone of your essay. Spend a little time on the tone of your essay. Spend a little time on the opening to make it specific because it tells the opening to make it specific because it tells the reader you understand the task at hand, and it reader you understand the task at hand, and it gives your paper purpose and direction.gives your paper purpose and direction.

Use sophisticated syntax and a high level of Use sophisticated syntax and a high level of diction to create distinct voice. diction to create distinct voice. Be Be grammatically correctgrammatically correct. Make sure you include:. Make sure you include:

The author and title of work selectedThe author and title of work selected The tasks to be addressedThe tasks to be addressed


Body:Body: Have paragraphs with topic sentencesHave paragraphs with topic sentences Use specific references and details from chosen work Use specific references and details from chosen work

(Use a combination of direct quotations and indirect (Use a combination of direct quotations and indirect references)references)

Use smooth transitions in and between paragraphs, Use smooth transitions in and between paragraphs, including repetition of words and ideasincluding repetition of words and ideas

Closing:Closing: Don’t worry about formal closing (spend time with body Don’t worry about formal closing (spend time with body

paragraphs)paragraphs) You can:You can:

Link your ideas to an especially effective line, image, or Link your ideas to an especially effective line, image, or emotional effectemotional effect

A formal remark or observation stated in a sentence or twoA formal remark or observation stated in a sentence or two

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AP Literature Exam

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